MicroSOCIAL

It's true! There is another social network out there, and this one is brought to you by Microsoft.

According to Microsoft, So.cl (pronounced social) is an experimental research project developed by Microsoft’s FUSE Labs, and it focuses on exploring the possibilities of social search for the purpose of learning. In other words, it is a social network for students - sound familiar, anyone?

With the focus on students, the website combines social networking and search to help people find and share interesting Web pages. It also features montages, which are rich posts that are assembled with visual Web content.

All searches in So.cl are public since many students work together or often search for the same items. This aims at creating more viral content, by letting users share links as they search.

Additionally, So.cl features video parties, which makes sharing videos easy. Users can view movies with friends, and view existing video party collections that were created by other users.

Sign-up for So.cl can be done through Facebook, and although So.cl’s focus is on students, anyone is welcome to participate in the FUSE Labs research community.